Vehicle extreme temperature safety systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Safety systems and methods to prevent or mitigate thermal stress conditions in a vehicle. The systems include sensors to detect conditions in and around a vehicle, particularly the temperature inside the vehicle and the condition of occupants. System controllers receive the sensor information, determine the thermal stress status of occupants, and activate appropriate actuators configured to reduce thermal stress in the vehicle. The methods include providing the system, detecting a vehicle occupant surface temperature, using the detected temperature to determine a body core temperature, and activating an actuator if the occupant body core temperature is determined to be out of a preset range.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The inventions relate to systems of interacting components adapted todetect, warn, and mitigate heat and cold stress hazards to occupants ofvehicles. A controller receives information from various sensors andsignals actuators to take steps reducing heat buildup and to warnpersons of present temperature stress dangers. Methods include, e.g.,detecting the presence of an occupant in a vehicle, detecting vehicleinterior temperature, detecting the body temperature of the occupant,determining existing or impending heat stress danger, and taking stepsto prevent excessive heat exposure to the occupant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The problem of children or pets left in vehicles under heat stressconditions has rightly received significant attention. In many states itis illegal to leave occupants in a car under conditions that may resultin significant heat stress. Often merely cracking a window is inadequateto protect occupants, e.g., parked in direct sunlight. Every year,dozens of lives are lost because of heat exhaustion that could have beenprevented had appropriate warnings or actions been initiated in time.

Systems are available in some high end cars to turn on a vent fan at acertain time of day, e.g., so that the driver can enter a pre-cooledvehicle. However, these systems are incapable of recognizing a heatstress condition or of taking appropriate actions to mitigate heatstress to a vehicle occupant.

In Dunlin (U.S. Pat. No. 6,922,622) hot vehicle systems are described,e.g., wherein persons are detected by seat sensors, but there is nodirect detection of the person's condition.

In view of the above, we see a need for systems that gather sensorinputs and determine appropriate actuator outputs, e.g., depending onthe condition of the occupants. We believe benefits could also berealized through systems that make an evaluation of the heat or coldstress condition of occupants in consideration of actions to be taken.The present invention provides these and other features that will beapparent upon review of the following.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions include systems and methods to detect and preventdevelopment of thermal stress in occupants of a vehicle. The systems caninclude sensors to detect parameters indicative of thermal stressconditions, actuators to take appropriate actions to prevent orremediate thermal stress conditions, and a controller to interpretsensor inputs and instruct the actuators to act in reducing thermalstress in the vehicle.

The systems for preventing excessive heat or cold exposure to occupantsof a vehicle can include an occupancy sensor, an occupant bodytemperature sensor, a controller configured to receive signals from theoccupancy sensor, and body temperature sensor, and one or more actuatorto provide a response to an over heat or cold condition. The controllercan be configured to determine an occupant temperature from the bodytemperature sensor when the controller receives an occupant presentsignal from the occupancy sensor. Further, the controller can beconfigured to activate the actuator when the determined occupant bodytemperature goes outside a preset temperature range.

Sensors in the system can provide signals relevant to determination of apossible thermal stress danger. For example, system sensors can includea vehicle interior temperature sensor. The system controller can beconfigured to only activate a particular actuator if an interiortemperature detected by the interior temperature sensor falls outside apreset range. The system sensors can include a microphone or seatpressure sensor to signal the presence of a vehicle occupant. Animportant sensor can be one or more sensors capable of indicating anoccupant body temperature, thus providing direct verification of anoccupant's level of thermal stress. A preferred occupant bodytemperature sensor can be an infrared light sensor configured to measurea temperature of a body surface.

In an alternate embodiment, if the sensors detect cold temperaturesbelow a set parameter, the controller can trigger the actuators toprovide a warning or call for aid. For example, if the occupant goes into hypothermia, e.g., below 95 degrees Fahrenheit and 89 degrees inextreme hypothermia, a call can go out for emergency response team inthe closest vicinity based on the closest mobile cell tower and GPSlocation.

Controllers can be programmed to take appropriate action on the input ofparticular circumstances. For example, a controller can be configured toreceive a body temperature signal ranging from 25° C. to 45° C.; thecontroller set to activate an appropriate actuator response when anoccupant body temperature exceeds 39° C. or falls below 35° C. Such bodycore temperatures can be indicated by reference to occupant body surfacetemperatures, e.g., ranging outside 40° C. to 30° C., respectively.

Actuators can be capable of taking actions to protect occupants fromthermal stress, e.g., that can be developed in a closed car exposed todirect sunlight. For example, actuators can include one or morecontroller actuated cell phones, window motors, vent fans, and/or asirens.

The inventions include methods of using the present systems to preventexcessive heat or cold exposure to occupants in vehicles. Methods caninclude, e.g., preventing excessive heat or cold exposure to occupantsof a vehicle by providing a system with an occupancy sensor, an occupantbody temperature sensor configured to detect absolute or relativetemperature, an actuator, and a controller configured to receive signalsfrom the occupancy sensor, and body temperature sensor. When an occupantpresent signal is received from the occupancy sensor, an occupant bodytemperature can be determined from the body temperature sensor. If theoccupant body temperature is determined to exceed a preset temperaturerange, an appropriate actuator is activated to relieve thermal stress onthe occupant.

Receiving an occupant present signal can include the controllerreceiving a signal from, e.g., an infrared light sensor, a pressuresensor, and ultrasonic microphone, and an audio microphone.

Determining the occupant body temperature can include, e.g., detectingan infrared light spectrum emitted from a surface of the occupant, ordirect or indirect (e.g., through apparel) contact of the occupant witha temperature sensor.

Activating the actuator can include, e.g., energizing an electric windowmotor, energizing a fan motor, energizing a heating system, dialing aphone number, energizing an audio speaker, and/or the like.

Definitions

Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to particular devices orbiological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless thecontent clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “asurface” can include a combination of two or more surfaces; reference to“signals” includes mixtures of signals, and the like.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the invention pertains. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can bepracticed without undue experimentation based on the present disclosure,preferred materials and methods are described herein. In describing andclaiming the present invention, the following terminology will be usedin accordance with the definitions set out below.

Thermal stress to an occupant can result in body temperatures outsidethe normal range. Excessive heat stress can lead to heat prostration(exhaustion). Excessive cold stress can lead to hypothermia in anoccupant.

Excessive heat exposure and heat stress are present in an environmentwhen a person in the environment is expected to have difficultymaintaining normal physiology due to the temperature (e.g., andhumidity) of the environment. Heat stress can raise the body temperatureand/or cause electrolyte imbalances, e.g., leading to heat cramps, heatexhaustion, or heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is the body's response to anexcessive loss of the water and salt, usually through excessivesweating. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related stress occurringwhen the body becomes unable to control its temperature. In heat stroke,the body's temperature can rise rapidly, the sweating mechanism failing,and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the bodytemperature can rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability unless heatstress conditions are not mitigated and emergency treatment given.

Excessive cold exposure and hypothermia risk are present in anenvironment when a person in the environment is expected to havedifficulty retaining adequate body heat due to a low temperature of theenvironment. Cold environments can lower the body temperature, e.g.bringing shivering and muscle mis-coordination. Surface blood vesselscontract as the body focuses warm blood on the brain and core. Thismakes hypothermia particularly well identifiable using the systems andmethods of the invention. Further, the occupant can become pale, withexposed body surfaces becoming blue. Hypothermia can cause death inshort order unless the occupant is treated by exposure to warmerconditions.

Body temperature is the temperature of a person, as measured in aclinical environment. Body temperature is intended to represent the bodycore temperature, classically 98.6° F. In most circumstances bodysurface temperature is typically somewhat lower than the bodytemperature, and can vary significantly depending on the body surface(skin) measured. The body temperature can be inferred from the bodysurface temperature. In cold climates, the body surface temperature isoften lower than the body core temperature. Given the ambienttemperature and body surface temperature, inferences can be made as tothe body core temperature of a vehicle occupant.

The interior temperature of a vehicle is the temperature of air in thepassenger compartment.

A vehicle is a means of transportation intended to move one or morepersons. For example, vehicles can include automobiles, trucks,tractors, agricultural equipment, boats, and the like.

A vehicle is occupied if there is an animal (e.g., human or pet) in thevehicle. An occupancy sensor can detect the presence of an animal in thevehicle, e.g., passenger compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of exemplary car thermal safety system hardware,including applicable subsystems.

FIG. 2 is a block flow diagram of methods for determining a heat stresscondition and determination of appropriate steps to take.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present systems and methods are directed to detection andalleviation of thermal stress conditions in vehicles, particularly inthe presence of occupants. The systems can detect temperature, andchanges in temperature, of the vehicle interior and or of the vehicleoccupants. The systems include a controller configured to evaluateinputs to determine if a thermal stress danger exists for any occupantpresent. The controller can be configured to take action to protect theoccupant from harm due to the thermal stress. Methods of preventingthermal stress for occupants of a vehicle can include, e.g., usingsensor hardware to evaluate conditions in a vehicle and the thermalstress status of occupants, identifying combinations of conditions thatsuggest a thermal stress hazard, and energizing hardware that mitigatesthe thermal stress condition, e.g., by heating or cooling the interiorof the vehicle, and informing persons of the vehicle or occupantconditions.

I. Systems.

In general, the thermal stress avoidance and remedial systems canmonitor the interior of a vehicle to determine the presence of anoccupant, the status of vehicle systems, the interior temperature of thevehicle, and the body temperature of the occupant. The system candetermine whether a combination of detected conditions represents athermal stress danger to the occupant. Once a thermal stress threat hasbeen identified, the system controller can take appropriate actions tomitigate the stress or provide aid to the occupant. As shown in FIG. 1,the systems 10 to detect and mitigate thermal stress on vehicleoccupants generally includes a controller 11 receiving signals fromsensors 12, and instructing appropriate activities from actuators 13.

Sensors.

The controller can rely on multiple sensors to initiate appropriateactions according to the conditions in a vehicle. Sensors can beprovided to determine the condition of the vehicle environment, thenumber of occupants, and the condition of the occupants. For example,the system can include mechanical sensors to detect a body weight in aseat, thermometers, relative humidity detectors, audio sensors, videosensors, and a user interface. Temperatures can be detected, e.g., usingthermometers or infrared light detectors. The condition of the vehiclecan be determined, e.g., by command history, microswitches, or positionmonitors that indicate the condition of vehicle utilities, such aswindows and fans.

The status of the vehicle can be determined by sensors. For example, itcan be important to heat stress remediation whether or not the car ismoving, whether the AC system is running, what fans are on, and whatwindows are open. Much of this may be a matter of record and availablefrom the vehicle's central computer. Optionally, a separate array ofsensors can be dedicated to the present systems to obtain thisinformation, as necessary.

The systems can detect the presence of an occupant by using a mechanicalpressure sensor located in or on one or more of the vehicle seats. Forexample, a sensor in or under the seat cushion can detect the presenceof a person sitting on the seat. A spring loaded sensor can provide athreshold compression signal, or a varying signal, e.g., depending onthe weight of the person seated in the seat. The sensor can be, e.g.,hydraulic, pneumatic, or piezoelectric. The sensor can optionally detectthe presence of a person by a change in capacitance or resistance of anelectronic element in the seat. Sensors detecting the size of theoccupant can be used to appropriately direct the field of view forcertain optical or video sensors.

The presence of a person or animal can be detected from analysis of anaudio signal. An audio microphone can be monitored for frequencies ortone variations characteristic of speech or other occupant audio.Optionally, ultrasonic or radar motion sensors can be used to detect thepresence of occupants.

Video signals can be monitored to detect the presence of a vehicleoccupant. For example, video camera signals can be analyzed for thepresence of shapes (e.g., facial recognition) and motions characteristicof persons or animals. Occupants may be detected by a characteristicinfrared signature combination of temperature, area, sound, motion,and/or shape.

The presence of an occupant can be determined based on equipment usageor user interface inputs. For example, the presence of an occupant canbe inferred from changes in the position of driver controls, seat belts,environment control systems, entertainment systems, and the like. Theheat stress system itself may have an operator input (e.g., keyboard ortouch sensitive screen) interface for direct confirmation of the numberand type of occupants. The presence of occupants can be detected bypersonal RFID tags or Bluetooth devices.

The condition of the vehicle can be important to determining possiblethermal stress conditions. The system can include sensors that directlyor indirectly report the condition and configuration of features thatcan influence thermal stress dangers in the vehicle. For example, thesystem can monitor the position of windows, settings of fans, doorlatches, door locks, clocks, etc.

Temperature sensors are central to the functioning of the safetysystems. The controller can receive temperature information from one ormore locations to evaluate the need for a response. The temperaturesensors can be, e.g., liquid filled bulb thermometers, thermisters,infrared light sensors, bimetalic strips, and or the like. Thethermometers can provide the temperature of air or surfaces on theinterior of the vehicle. When the vehicle interior air or surfaces falloutside a safe range, and when it has been determined one or moreoccupants are in the car, other system functions can be activated toconfirm the presence of thermal stress and/or take actions to prevent orremedy thermal stress. In most embodiments, there is at least onetemperature sensor that detects the body temperature of one or more caroccupants.

Occupant body temperature detection can be by contact with the sensor,or the body temperature can be determined by detecting the amount orfrequency of infrared (IR) light coming from the occupant's body. Theinfrared light can be near infrared IR-A: 700 nm-1400 nm (0.7 μm-1.4 μm,215 THz-430 THz); mid infrared IR-B: 1400 nm-3000 nm (1.4 μm-3 μm, 100THz-215 THz), or far infrared IR-C: 3000 nm-1 mm (3 μm-1000 μm, 300GHz-100 THz). The infrared radiation can be detected by a broad viewsensor, or preferably a narrow view sensor, e.g., aimed at seats knownto have occupants. More sophisticated determinations of body surfacetemperatures can be obtained, e.g., using video sensors, such as chargecoupled devices. Such video images can be analyzed for abundantinformation relevant to determining a heat stress condition. Forexample, a visible light and/or IR video can be subjected to body orface recognition algorithms, e.g., to identify the locations ofoccupants, size of the occupants, and locations of exposed skin on anoccupant. In many cases, the body temperature is obtained by takingreadings from occupant surfaces determined to be skin surfaces,preferably face surfaces.

To aid in the identification of occupants and determination of theirtemperature using optical (e.g., video) hardware, the vehicleenvironment can be readily identifiable by the hardware. For example,previously stored images of the vehicle interior can be provided toconfirm new features that may be occupants. The vehicle interior may beadapted to have materials or colors discounted (e.g., green screen typetechnology) as occupants by the occupant detection and body temperaturedetection sub-systems.

Actuators.

Actuators are energized by the controller to take actions preventing orremediating thermal stress conditions inside the vehicle. Actuators canwarn of a heat stress condition and/or reconfigure the vehicle to reducethe interior temperature. In a cold condition, actuators can warn of acold stress condition and/or reconfigure the vehicle to increase theinterior temperature

The vehicle can be configured by actuators to cool or warm the interior.Such actuators can be associated with the air conditioning system,heating system, vent system, windows, moon roof, window tinting, seatheating system, window shading, door locks, door latches, automatic doorfeatures, and/or the like. When an occupant body temperature (e.g., asdetected at the skin) surpasses a high or low threshold, and/or acombination of sensory parameters signal a thermal stress condition, thecontroller can command actuators to, e.g., turn on heaters, turn on fansdirecting outside air into the vehicle interior, and open or close oneor more windows, as appropriate. Actuators can unlock doors so occupantscan leave the vehicle.

Another group of actuators includes communication devices to warnoccupants, or outside persons, of a thermal stress condition. Forexample, an audio warning device (e.g., siren or speech system) can beactivated to tell the occupant or a current or impending thermal stresscondition. The controller can activate an emergency communicationdevice, such as a phone or other radio system, to notify police,emergency specialists, or owners of the vehicle of detected adverseconditions in the vehicle.

Controllers.

Digital or analog logic devices can act as controllers in the systems ofthe inventions. The controllers can receive signals from the systemsensors, review the conditions to determine a level of thermal stress towhich a vehicle occupant may be exposed, and take action to relieve theoccupant of thermal stress dangers.

Controllers of the inventions are typically computers or interfacedCPUs. For example, the controllers can be electric logic devices withsoftware programming and hardware capable of receiving data (e.g., fromsensor hardware strategically located in a vehicle), analyzing the data,and appropriately activating hardware to take actions protecting vehicleoccupants. Typical controllers are vehicle control modules, smartphones, black boxes, PCs, lap tops, smart pads, integrated circuits,removable control cards, and/or the like.

The controllers can have subsystems adapted to receive signals fromsensors. Sensor input receiving subsystems can include adaptors thatconvert analog signals to digital signals (A to D conversion) or thesensors themselves may provide a digital output to the controller. Thecontrollers can have one or more inputs to receive signals from, e.g.,light intensity sensors, relative humidity detectors, temperaturesensors, video cameras, light frequency sensors, pressure sensors,mechanical position sensors, infrared intensity and/or imaging sensors,micro switches, data entry devices, remote control devices, globalpositioning devices, and/or the like.

The controllers can have subsystems adapted to send signals, e.g., toactivate or control accessories. For example, the logic circuits of thecontroller can send signals through an interface to control mechanicalhardware or to initiate communications with other digital systems,occupants, or external parties. The controller output can controlactuators, motors, heaters, stepper motors, linear motors, vehicleenvironment control systems, fans, baffles, valves, solenoids, and orthe like, e.g., to adjust the temperature of the vehicle interior orallow egress of occupants from the vehicle. The controller output caninclude communications to digital devices or persons. For example, thecontroller can initiate an audio file (language or siren) informingoccupants of danger though a speaker or public address system. Outputscan actuate visual signals, e.g., including warning lights, graphicindicia, or video display. The outputs can broadcast the hazard warningto external parties, such as vehicle owners or first responders, e.g.,through radio or cell phone messages.

II. Methods.

The present inventions include methods of detecting and mitigatingdangers of heat stress to occupants of a vehicle. A typical method, asshown in FIG. 2, includes detecting the presence of an occupant in avehicle, detecting the temperature of the internal compartment of thevehicle, detecting the body surface temperature of the occupant,analyzing the detected conditions to determine if a thermal stressthreat is present for the occupant, determining an appropriate level ofresponse to mitigate the thermal stress threat, and instructingappropriate actuators to reduce the temperature in the vehiclecompartment.

Detecting the presence of an occupant in a vehicle can includeinterpretation of sensor input by the controller. Determination ofvehicle occupancy can be by detection of one signal, or two or more. Forexample, occupancy can be detected by a simple pressure detector in apassenger seat, a motion detector, an IR light detector, RFID orBluetooth signal detection, or a sound detector. However, these simplemethods of occupant detection can be subject to substantial falsepositive results. More reliable results can be provided withcombinations of detected signals. For example, occupant detection can beby a combination of seat pressure detection and an IR presence at thatseat location, IR detection and motion detection (e.g., characteristicactive or passive ultrasonic detection), face or body silhouettedetection and seat pressure detection, voice recognition and seatpressure detection, and/or other combinations of the above. In manycases, detecting the occupant also detects the location of one or moreoccupants within the vehicle, and/or the type of occupant (size, age,etc.).

Detecting vehicle interior temperature can be by use of the sensorsdiscussed above with regard to the inventive systems. Typically athermometer (IR sensor, bimetalic strip, thermistor, etc.) is wired tothe sensor input of the controller. One or more of the thermometers canbe located to take the temperature of the ambient interior air, aircoursing through the AC or venting systems, or interior vehiclesurfaces. Signals from the thermometers can be transmitted to thecontroller for consideration in determining the level of thermal stressthreat. In some embodiments, interior temperatures are not used, or havesubstantially less weight in determining thermal stress threat than thedirect evaluation of an occupant body surface temperature.

Detecting the temperature of a vehicle occupant is the most direct andaccurate way to evaluate the thermal stress condition of the occupant.Ultimately, the present systems are intended to avoid or removedangerous thermal stress from an occupant. In one aspect of theinvention, an occupant can self-report a thermal stress condition to thecontroller, e.g., through a user interface. For example, a heatemergency button can be provided to occupants. More typically thepresent methods gather sensor signals to make a considered determinationof thermal stress, e.g., for occupants incapable of self-reporting (suchas, elderly, disabled, infants, pets, etc.). The body temperature of anoccupant is typically detected by a determination of a skin surfacetemperature of the occupant. Such a determination can be by thermometercontact with the skin or by IR detection.

In preferred embodiments, an infrared signal from the occupant's bodycan be used to determine a surface temperature, and infer a bodytemperature. The IR sensor can have a narrow field of view, e.g.,directed to a position at a seat where an occupant's skin (e.g., face)would be expected. Alternately, the IR sensor can collect an array ofreadings (e.g., using an IR imaging device). IR array pattern can bereviewed to detect the location of one or more occupants. Occupanttemperatures can be evaluated with regard to a peak temperature oraverage temperature of the occupant. The IR array output can be reviewedto identify a body or facial pattern, then the indicated temperature fora select body surface (e.g., forehead, hand, cheek) can be noted.

If an occupant is in the vehicle, and if a temperature (ambient or body)suggests there may be a danger of thermal stress to the occupant, thecontroller can direct one or more actuators to reverse, stop or preventan thermal stress condition in the vehicle or occupant. Instructions toactuators may be initiated solely on the detection of a certain vehicletemperature threshold and/or occupant temperature threshold. Forexample, interior temperature reduction activities can be initiated ifthe detected occupant body temperature suggests essentially febrileconditions (e.g., an internal body temperature of 99° F. or more).Temperature reduction activities can directed if the detected bodysurface temperature is 90° F., 95° F., 98° F., 99° F., 100° F., 103° F.,or more. Temperature reduction activities can directed if the detectedbody surface temperature is 95° F., 98° F., 99° F., 100° F., 103° F., ormore, and the interior temperature or body surface temperature has arising trend, e.g., increasing by 1° F. per 5 minutes, 3 minutes, 1minute, or 0.5 minutes. With regard to clod conditions, interior heatingactivities can be initiated if the detected occupant body temperaturesuggests essentially hypothermic conditions (e.g., an internal bodytemperature of 96° F. or less). Interior warming activities can directedif the detected body surface temperature is 97° F., 96° F., 94° F., 92°F., 90° F., 88° F., or less. Heating activities can directed if thedetected body surface temperature is less than 98° F., 97° F., 95° F.,93° F., 90° F., 88° F., or less, and the interior temperature or bodysurface temperature has a cooling trend, e.g., decreasing by 1° F. per 5minutes, 3 minutes, 1 minute, or 0.5 minutes

Once it is determined that thermal stress conditions exist in thevehicle (e.g., occupancy, interior temperature, and occupanttemperature), a temperature adjustment activity can be directed by thecontroller to one or more appropriate actuators. For example, in astationary car (detected by, e.g., speedometer or GPS signal) with arising internal temperature of more than 90° F. and occupant bodysurface temperature of 90° F. or more, the controller can instructoutside air fans to exchange internal for external air. If a highexternal air temperature is detected (e.g., not at least 5° F. less thanthe interior temperature), then the controller could also include awarning (cell phone, audio signal, flashing light) to suggest theoccupant leave the car or turn on an air conditioning system. In amoving car with a rising internal temperature of more than 90° F. andoccupant body surface temperature of 90° F. or more, the controller caninstruct the vent damper motors to open vents, outside air fans toexchange internal for external air, and/or turning on or up the ACsystem. Should the surface body temperature of an occupant reach acritical threshold (e.g., 98° F., 100° F., 103° F., 105° F., or more)the controller can send any combination of instructions depending on thevehicle condition (e.g., running or moving), including, e.g., openingwindows, running AC, opening vents, running fans. In a coolingenvironment situation, e.g., with a decreasing interior temperature ofless than 60° F. and occupant body surface temperature of 70° F. orless, the controller can instruct activation of vehicle heating systems.Should the surface body temperature of an occupant go below a criticalthreshold (e.g., 65° F., 55° F., 45° F., 35° F., or less) the controllercan send any combination of instructions depending on the vehiclecondition (e.g., running or moving), including, e.g., closing windows,running the motor and/or heater, energizing seat heaters, and/or thelike.

Under any of the heat stress conditions described above, the controllercan be configured to communicate with occupants of external parties. Thecommunications can be proportionate and/or sequential depending on theconditions. For example, initial indications of early thermal stressconditions may be signaled with a flashing light or audio warning beep.More severe conditions can elicit a louder audio signal and directactions to mitigate a changing temperature. More severe conditions, suchas a stationary vehicle, rising interior temperatures above 95° F.,and/or a body surface temperature above 98° F., can prompt a more urgentresponse, such as discharging a siren, a public address broadcast,and/or initiating a cellular phone call to a predesignated phone numberor emergency service.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are offered to illustrate, but not to limit theclaimed invention.

Example-1 Vehicle Heat Stress Avoidance System

An automobile is outfitted with an internal temperature sensor, seatcushion pressure sensors, and an infrared video camera to detect thepresence of vehicle occupants and environmental conditions.

The automobile has an air conditioning system, auto start, motorizedwindows, visual and audio signals, and a cellular phone.

The above sensor and actuator devices are connected to the input andoutput interfaces, respectively, of a controller. The controller isconfigured to detect the presence of any vehicle occupant and thesurface body temperature of the occupant.

When the interior cabin temperature of the automobile is above 85° F.,the controller energizes from a power saving sleep mode, and instructsactivation of the IR sensor camera. The resultant array of video imagesshow an outline of an infrared pattern indicative of a human occupant ina rear seat, which has a positive seat pressure signal corroborating thepresence of an occupant. The video image is evaluated within the fieldof the human pattern for a peak temperature and for the averagetemperature on the face area of the human. The controller receives GPSdata suggesting the automobile is not in motion.

As the interior temperature surpasses 90° F. in 10 minutes, thecontroller evaluates the IR array data to find the occupant average facesurface temperature is above 95° F. The controller energizes a flashingwarning light and associated beep. As the interior temperature surpasses100° F., the controller evaluates the IR array data to find the occupantaverage face surface temperature is above 98° F. The controller openswindows and turns on vent fans.

If the conditions of heat stress continue to increase (or the windowsfail to open), the controller could sequentially initiate an internalalarm commanding exit from the automobile, a public address alarm, and aphone call to the automobile owner and/or emergency service.

Example-2 Vehicle Cold Stress Avoidance System

An automobile is outfitted with an internal temperature sensor, seatcushion pressure sensors, and an infrared video camera to detect thepresence of vehicle occupants and environmental conditions.

The automobile has an heating system, auto start, motorized windows,visual and audio signals, and a cellular phone.

The above sensor and actuator devices are connected to the input andoutput interfaces, respectively, of a controller. The controller isconfigured to detect the presence of any vehicle occupant and thesurface body temperature of the occupant.

When the interior cabin temperature of the automobile is below 55° F.,the controller energizes from a power saving sleep mode, and instructsactivation of the IR sensor camera. The resultant array of video imagesshow an outline of an infrared pattern indicative of a human occupant ina passenger seat, which has a positive seat pressure signalcorroborating the presence of an occupant. The video image is evaluatedwithin the field of the human pattern for a peak temperature and for theaverage temperature on the face area of the human. The controllerreceives vehicle CPU data suggesting the automobile motor is notrunning.

As the interior temperature falls below 50° F. in 10 minutes, thecontroller evaluates the IR array data to find the occupant average facesurface temperature is below 65° F. The controller energizes a flashingwarning light and associated beep. As the interior temperature fallsbelow 45° F., the controller evaluates the IR array data to find theoccupant average face surface temperature is below 55° F. The controllerassures windows are closed, starts the car and turns on the heatingsystem.

If the conditions of cold stress continue to get worse, or the surfacetemperature of the occupant does not improve, the controller couldsequentially initiate an internal alarm commanding exit from theautomobile, a public address alarm, and a phone call to the automobileowner and/or emergency service.

It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein arefor illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changesin light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and areto be included within the spirit and purview of this application andscope of the appended claims.

While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity and understanding, it will be clear to one skilledin the art from a reading of this disclosure that various changes inform and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of theinvention. For example, all the techniques and apparatus described abovecan be used in various combinations. All publications, patents, patentapplications, and/or other documents cited in this application areincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the sameextent as if each individual publication, patent, patent application,and/or other document were individually indicated to be incorporated byreference for all purposes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for preventing excessive thermal stressexposure to any occupants of a vehicle, the system comprising: anoccupancy sensor; an occupant body surface temperature sensor configuredto detect a body surface temperature of an occupant in the vehicle; anactuator; and, a controller configured to receive signals from theoccupancy sensor and from the occupant body surface temperature sensor,wherein the controller is configured to determine an occupant body coretemperature based on the signals from the occupant body surfacetemperature sensor when the controller receives an occupant presentsignal from the occupancy sensor; and, wherein the controller isconfigured to activate the actuator when the determined occupant bodytemperature falls outside a preset temperature range.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a vehicle interior temperature sensor, andwherein the actuator is not activated unless an interior temperaturedetected by the interior temperature sensor falls outside a presetrange.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the occupancy sensor comprisesa microphone or a seat pressure sensor.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the occupant body temperature sensor comprises an infrared lightsensor configured to measure a temperature of an occupant body surface.5. The system of claim 4, wherein the controller is configured toreceive the occupant body surface temperature signal and determine abody surface temperature ranging from 25° C. to 45° C.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the controller activates the actuator when thedetermined occupant body core temperature exceeds 39° C. or falls below35° C.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is selected fromthe group consisting of: a cell phone, a motorized window, a heater, avent fan, and a siren.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the occupantbody temperature sensor comprises an infrared sensor directed to aposition on the occupant's skin, or the occupant body temperature sensorcomprises an IR sensor configured to detect an array of IR data and toselect a body surface of the occupant and detect a temperature of theselected body surface.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the systemincludes both a vehicle interior temperature sensor and an occupant bodytemperature sensor.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator isactivated only when an interior temperature of the vehicle exceeds apreset temperature.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the systemfurther comprises a vehicle interior temperature sensor communicatingwith the controller, and the occupant body core temperature is inferredfrom the vehicle interior temperature and the occupant body surfacetemperature.
 12. A method of preventing excessive thermal stressexposure to an occupant of a vehicle, the method comprising: providing asystem comprising: an occupancy sensor; an occupant body temperaturesensor configured to detect a body surface temperature of the occupant;an actuator; and, a controller configured to receive signals from theoccupancy sensor and from the occupant body surface temperature sensor;receiving an occupant present signal from the occupancy sensor;determining an occupant body core temperature based on a signal from theoccupant body surface temperature sensor; and activating the actuatorwhen the determined occupant body core temperature falls outside apreset temperature range.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein saidreceiving an occupant present signal comprises the controller receivinga signal from an element selected from the group consisting of: aninfrared light sensor, a pressure sensor, and ultrasonic microphone, andan audio microphone.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein saiddetermining the occupant body surface temperature comprises determiningan infrared light spectrum emitted from a surface of the occupant. 15.The method of claim 12, wherein said activating the actuator is selectedfrom the group consisting of: energizing an electric window motor,energizing a heater, energizing a fan motor, dialing a phone number, andenergizing an audio speaker.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein theoccupant body temperature sensor comprises an infrared sensor directedto a position on the occupants skin, or the occupant body temperaturesensor comprises an IR array sensor configured to detect an array of IRdata, to select a body surface of the occupant and detect a temperatureof the selected body surface.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein thesystem includes both a vehicle interior temperature sensor and anoccupant body temperature sensor.